Tristin and Isabella: Our chunky monkey

Can you overfeed an infant?

One of the big dilemmas C. and I are facing these days is whether baby T. is eating too much. He takes in 4-5 ounces of breastmilk or formula per feeding about every 2-3 hours. In many cases, 4 ounces isn't enough and it isn't until he's had about 5 ounces that he is satisfied. Concerned that we might be overfeeding our Chunky Monkey, we started doing research on the internet.

Although we still have yet to get a doctor's opinion (we will do that in a few days when we go for our 1-month checkup), it seems there's no real way to overfeed an infant. In most cases, you'll know when an infant is full -- they will either turn away and not eat (even if you try to force it down) or they'll regurgitate (non-projectile) the milk you give them. Further, all infants are different and some will eat more than others so the best thing to do, it seems, is to just follow your baby's cues.

If you are very concerned that your baby is over-eating, you can opt to give the baby a pacifier to make sure he's not eating when he really wants to just suck and use a slow-flow baby bottle. We're trying to do both to make sure he's eating what he wants.

Truth be told, I am happy that Baby T. is eating well and heartily. He was likely so hungry in mommy's tummy that he's compensating for the nutrition he didn't get. Also, it's quite funny to see him eat -- he becomes a piggy monster. He'll grunt and make a lot of noises as he's sucking. Sometimes, he'll momentarily scream and cry (who knows why?) and then continue to suck. In most cases, he'll also grab either your finger or the bottle (likely because he wants to make sure you are properly feeding him!). As my mom always mentions, there's nothing "feminine" about this little boy -- he eats like a true Korean ajushee. Gobbling up everything in sight. Mouth full.

Bottomline -- don't get in his way of eating. Piggy monster (who has become a chunky monkey!) is on a mission!